Ola Gordon Conrad Richter

Remembering former BNZers who fought in WW1 and WW2, some of whom never returned home. 

Ola joined the BNZ in June 1905. In 1910 he was a ledger clerk in Stratford and by 1916 he was a teller at Thames branch.

Ola enlisted on the 25 July 1916 and embarked on the Maunganui at Wellington for Plymouth, England.

In March 1917 Ola left England for France where he marched into Etaples Camp. Ola was awarded the Military Medal shortly after on 2 July 1917. The citation read:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of 22/23 near Warnrton he twice went through the heavy German barrage to collect scattered members of the party and by his coolness, bravery and initiative steadied the other men at a critical period. His work on the night is deserving of the highest praise. He worked regardless of his own safety on this and the previous night when on a fighting patrol and set a splendid example to the other men.'

Ola was hospitalized in October 1917 following gas poisoning but recovered a few months later. Ola rejoined his regiment but was discharged on the 16 January 1919 after a further hospitalization.

Upon his return Ola rejoined the bank where he stayed until his retirement in 1948.